Chapter 177: Chapter 2. The Little Boy Named Bell
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"Are you... Goddess Hestia?"
Cyd looked down at the little... fellow in front of him with a face full of skepticism.
"What's wrong?" Hestia tilted her head, holding Bell.
"It's just... a bit different from my impression," Cyd said with a slightly awkward expression, gesturing with his fingers. "The proportions are off."
Hestia, one of the few gods in Greek mythology known for her genuine kindness, and the eldest of the gods who seemed to have received all the compassion in existence, had a generous spirit.
Cyd cleared his throat.
Yes, she was indeed very... that.
So she had a reassuring smile.
Cyd tilted his head and pondered for a moment.
Hmm... she doesn't seem to have much combat ability.
So she should have a tall figure to match her noble and revered spirit.
After some thought, Cyd squatted down.
"Hello," Cyd said, placing his hand on Hestia's head. "I'm Cyd."
"Hey! Show me some respect!" Hestia said indignantly, waving her hands and pinching Cyd's face, pulling it with force. "What's with your look since just now!"
"Goddess, he's my savior!" Bell said, hugging Hestia.
"It's fine," Cyd waved his hand dismissively.
"You saved Bell?" Hestia tilted her head.
"It was just helping someone who had fallen to their feet," Cyd said with a grin. "It's nothing to thank me for."
"You... are such a good child!" Hestia said, moved as she rubbed her eyes. "But unfortunately, we don't have anything to properly entertain you with."
"It's fine, Goddess Hestia. I recently exchanged some money," Bell said cheerfully, pulling out a bag of gold coins from his pocket. Then he looked down, seemingly remembering something. "I used the magic stone given by Mr. Cyd."
Why do you all look so desolate?
Cyd glanced around. It was hard to imagine this was a place where a goddess lived, especially Hestia, who was worshipped by everyone.
"Bell, take Cyd out for a meal!" Hestia said, giving a thumbs-up. "Although the money is from Cyd's magic stone, someday you'll earn more valuable magic stones yourself! Then you can properly repay Cyd!"
Although she didn't quite match the impression in height, her spirit was very fitting.
Well, even they could support each other and live on their own without needing his help.
Cyd's lips curled up slightly.
"Aren't you coming, Goddess Hestia?" Bell clutched the gold coins tightly.
"Oh, I still have to work. I can't rely on you alone to support the Familia," Hestia said, scratching her head. "I'll bring some snacks when I get back."
"Goddess Hestia!!!" Bell looked deeply touched.
Yes, it seems like he should look after them.
Cyd held his face.
Now he understood why Hera had asked him for help.
"Mr. Cyd, this is the Hostess of Fertility. I hadn't come here before due to financial constraints, but thanks to that Minotaur's magic stone, we can now afford to spend here," Bell said, giving a thumbs-up, though his flushed face and wandering eyes seemed suspicious.
There's something not quite right here～
Cyd tilted his head and looked inside the shop, where various beautiful girls were running around.
"Don't tell me you brought me here to bolster your courage," Cyd said, placing his hand on Bell's head. "If you're alone, it's scary, but if you're with someone, it's less daunting."
"How could...," Bell's expression froze, and after stuttering for a moment, he lowered his head. "I'm sorry."
"Ah, let's go," Cyd patted Bell's shoulder.
"Thank you!" Bell's eyes brightened as he pushed Cyd's back, urging him forward. "Please come in!"
Indeed, he brought me here to boost his courage.
Cyd's lips twitched.
"Welcome... Mr. Bell?" A maid holding a tray greeted Cyd but looked puzzled as she saw the white-haired figure peeking out from behind him.
"Ah, Miss Syr," Bell said, scratching his face as Cyd lifted him up. "I'm here."
"Ahem," Although Bell's current appearance, like a rabbit being picked up, seemed somewhat cute, Syr decided to fulfill her duties as a staff member first. "Two guests!"
Cyd put Bell down and followed Syr to a relatively empty counter.
"Oh, new faces? Which of you is the guest Syr mentioned?" The manager of the Hostess of Fertility, taking an interest, looked at the two white-haired individuals sitting at the counter.
"He," Cyd said, patting Bell's head while looking at the menu.
"Yes!" For some reason, Bell felt like he was being targeted by a bear under the store manager's gaze and instinctively puffed out his chest.
"Well, you have some spirit," the manager said, nodding and placing a large cup of alcohol in front of Bell. "This one's on me."
"Eh!!!" Bell's mouth dropped open.
Forced sale!
"Mm, I'll have this," Cyd pointed to a delicious-looking pasta on the menu, though the price made Bell want to cry.
"Mr. Cyd!"
"It's fine, don't be so petty," Cyd said, shrugging.
"Well said," the store manager said, placing a glass of alcohol in front of Cyd. "This one's on me too."
Cyd: ...
"Slurp..." Bell ate the pasta with tears in his eyes. "So delicious."
The Minotaur was a waste of effort.
Though he didn't defeat it himself, a large bag of gold coins was gone.
"The taste is worth the price," Cyd gave a thumbs-up to the store manager.
"Right? Would you like to order more?" The store manager raised an eyebrow with some pride.
"Let's save it for next time. The little rabbit's pocket is empty," Cyd said with a smile, shaking his head.
"Whimper..." Bell covered his face.
"It's okay, just kill a few more Minotaurs next time," Cyd stretched. "By the way, let's set a small goal first. Bell, go defeat ten Minotaurs."
"Ten... Ten!" Bell's eyes widened. "But that's a Minotaur! I'm only LV1!"
"So?" Cyd tilted his head.
"So... well," Bell flailed his arms for a moment before lowering his head. "How could I possibly defeat them?"
"Who decided that LV1 can't defeat a Minotaur?" Cyd pointed his finger at Bell's forehead. "At the start, this dungeon only had LV1 adventurers, just like you, exploring the unknown. Bell, it's not that only high-level adventurers can defeat Minotaurs, but because they can defeat Minotaurs, they become high-level adventurers. You can do it too, because..."
Cyd flicked Bell's forehead.
"You're unwilling to accept it, aren't you?"
Bell's eyes widened.
The store manager gave a light laugh and nodded.
"But trash will always be trash!"
An unpleasant voice rang out in the store. The owner of the voice had no intention of hiding it, rather deliberately raising the volume.
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